The rise of GLP-1 treatments has opened a new stage for the treatment of obesity, transforming a chronic pathology into a priority market for manufacturers and digital health platforms. But the initial euphoria has given way to a more complex reality because these treatments are not enough without continuous nutritional and medical monitoring. Investors are now reevaluating their beliefs and favoring integrated models capable of supervising the use of these molecules over time.
The startup Annette appears to be one of the first French players to structure a complete course dedicated to people living with obesity and patients on GLP-1. The startup articulates a clinical model based on the combination of a companion-app and a multidisciplinary team made up of dietitians, psychologists, coaches, doctors, and coordinated around the same objective of reducing risks, stabilizing results and securing the use of treatments. The approach is based on the cross-analysis of clinical (adherence, side effects) and subjective (hunger, satiety, energy) data, allowing adjustment of monitoring and early intervention in the event of deviation.
This strategy addresses the problem of patient care and monitoring. Studies carried out in the United States show that in the absence of support, rates of weight regain are high, digestive disorders are poorly managed, and treatment is frequently stopped. Digital pathways are becoming an essential link to absorb demand, standardize the quality of monitoring and maintain results over time.
Annette now boasts more than 1,000 patients followed, a retention rate of 90% at three months, an NPS of +70 and an average weight loss superior to the results observed in clinical trials. Performances which can be explained, according to the company, by the structuring of the course.
Annette announces a fundraising of 2 million euros from Redstone, Ring Capital, AFI Ventures (Ventech), Clover VC and Gfund in order to accelerate the personalization of its clinical companion, expand its medical network and strengthen its action on prevention and education around obesity and the responsible use of GLP-1.
Annette was founded by François-Xavier Trancart and Gwen Le Calvez, two seasoned entrepreneurs. Before Annette, François-Xavier Trancart created and directed Artsper, which in ten years became the main European marketplace for contemporary art, and Gwen Le Calvez co-founded Birdie in 2017, after a personal experience which confronted him with the limits of the long-term care system; in seven years, Birdie has become one of the most influential scale-ups in European age-tech. At the heart of this project, Dr Lysiane Jubin embodies the clinical dimension. A nutritionist and recognized specialist in obesity, she worked for several years at the Georges Pompidou European Hospital.
